Evaluating Craving in Crack-Cocaine Abusers

• NCJ Number: 158263
• Journal: American Journal on Addictions Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1995) Pages: 323-330
• Author(s): C Ollo; T N Alim; R B Rosse; S Cunningham; T Gillis; M Khan; T Green; J Ricci; S I Deutsch
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Craving for drugs was evaluated in 77 abusers of crack cocaine using a 33-item Likert-scale questionnaire.

Abstract

The participants were all black men who met DSM-III-R criteria for cocaine dependence and had all sought treatment in an inpatient drug treatment and research unit. Results Indicated good internal reliability and validity of the instrument for assessing drug thoughts and cravings. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that craving in these treatment-seeking crack-cocaine abusers is motivated both by the positive reinforcing properties of cocaine and by seeking relief from negative symptoms. A previous study using a similar questionnaire indicated that craving in drug users who did not seek treatment was motivated primarily by the desire and intention to use cocaine. Findings support the notion that subcomponents of craving exist and may vary with motivational state (i.e., those in treatment versus non-treatment seekers). Tables and 17 references (Author abstract modified)